Powers and Kuras Champions in Day One of MAC Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships

GENEVA, OH – Jessica Powers and Brittney Kuras were crowned champions in the opening day of the 2014 Mid-American Conference Women's Swimming and Diving Championships at the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, OH on Thursday.

Powers won the first event for the Bulls with a school-record time of 4:46.37 in the 500 freestyle. It was by far her best time of the season, shaving 10 seconds off her previous best. The old school record of 4:47.46 was set by Andrea Lehner in 2008.

Kuras won the 200 individual medley for the third time in her career. The UB senior won with a season-best time of 1:59.20. Teammate Spencer Rodriguez swam the best race of her career to take second place with a time of 2:00.64.

In the 200 freestyle relay the UB team of Marissa Murphy, Taylor Steffl, Rachael Ragen and Kuras were barely edged out by Akron and finished second. The Zips won the event with a time of 1:31.53 and the Bulls had a time of 1:31.68.

In other events on Thursday, Steffl took ninth in the 50 freestyle and the Bulls placed seventh in the 400 individual medley.

In the diving well, Ava Giachino finished seventh in the one-meter event with a score of 255.35.

The Bulls sit in tie for fourth place following the first day.

MAC Women's Swimming & Diving Team Results (Following Day 1)

1. Akron -- 201 points

2. Miami -- 167

3. Eastern Michigan -- 148

T4. Buffalo -- 138

T4. Bowling Green -- 138

6. Ohio -- 114

7. Ball State -- 101

8. Toledo -- 85

The MAC Swimming and Diving Championships continue tomorrow and conclude on Saturday.